[part 2]
The morning seemed to come much too quickly for Lilly. As the sun rose over the horizon, it found Lilly watching the human ride off in his car as he always did in the morning, possibly for the very last time. She had tried to steel herself and steady her emotions, but found it impossible. She had always been a very sensitive creature, and she felt the waves of emotion crashing down on her before she had even spoken with anyone. This was going to be tough.
Turning away from the living room window, Lilly pushed her way through the plastic door flap one last time, letting her tail uncurl against it as she did. It was a familiar, almost comforting feeling, one she would undoubtedly miss. She would miss everything, she supposed, trotting over to the fence before leaping on top of it.
The Sylesti who hadn't stayed up through the night were now starting to wake up, making their way towards the food the human either left for them, or what had been killed and brought back during the night. Lilly spotted Flower emerging from under her rose bush, and she jumped down from the fence to greet her, wagging her tail slowly as she pressed her muzzle against hers.
"Flower," she sighed, looking steadily into her mate's eyes. "I'm scared." Lilly had been so ready to help the wild Sylesti when they first came, but now that she was facing a seemingly endless journey, she was having her doubts. Her heart was pounding, blood rushing and echoing through her ears, but somehow she managed to hear Flower's reply.
"I know. It's difficult to leave home, for any reason, but we're facing the possibility that we might not come back." Lilly's heart lurched. Flower seemed to notice this, and pressed closer against her. "But don't worry, Lilly. We've been taught well, and we're only going to learn more. I'm sure everything will be fine."
"I hope so..." Lilly trailed off, looking out across the backyard. From the morning mist, she could just make out Yale limping across the yard, carrying a bundle of something around his neck. Lilly and Flower gave him a curious look as he sat down, tail twitching. "What's around your neck, Yale?"
"Healing potions," he replied. "Midnight gave 'em to me, said these should be enough to last us until we reach the next Sylesti Village."
Sylesti Villages were common around these areas, even though most humans were unable to access them. They were protected by a special type of Ryori magic, which made them appear as dangerous or unnoticed places to most humans, places like garbage heaps or dumps. To other Sylesti, they were seen as what they were: bustling villages, filled with vendors and traders of all sorts. They were places of commerce, trade, and most of all, communication.
Still, Lilly wondered if their two escorts had even been to a Sylesti Village, or seen one coming down. They had been flying, after all, and it was quite likely that they hadn't even noticed one. If they were as old-fashioned as they seemed, they had probably never seen one before. As if on queue, Tempest and Whipporwill emerged from the barns, not appearing tired at all. In fact, they were looking better than ever--still skinny, but bright eyed and full of energy, definitely ready to move out.
"It looks like you two are ready," Flower remarked, flicking her tail with interest. The other two nodded, filled with glee, but Lilly felt herself growing more nervous. She felt their departure looming over them, and she looked over her shoulder once more at the human's home. She might not ever see it again. She might lose her life on this journey, like so many of the wild Sylesti had coming down from the mountain.
"Lilly?" Suddenly snapped out of her trance-like state by Flower's voice, Lilly turned to look at her, flicking an ear in response. "Are you alright?" Forcing herself to put on a brave face, Lilly nodded, grinning a bit.
"Yeah, I'm alright. Or...I will be." Flower didn't seem to convinced at that, but she didn't get a chance to say anything more before Tempest spoke up.
"The sun is rising," she told the others gently. "We should get moving now, if we can. It will soon get hotter, and if you'd like to hunt, this is going to be the best time to do it." Nodding in understanding, the three got to their feet and moved towards the back gate, Lilly expertly unlatching it so that they could move forward. Circling around the back of the farm, all five of the Sylesti sat, looking out over the vast expanses of rolling hills and forests stretched out in front of them with wonder.
"Well, we'd better get moving," Yale sighed. "We've got the whole world in front of us to get through." |
